椗花（dìng huā）

Pronunciation: dìng huā

Basic Meaning: to pluck flowers

Detailed Explanation: The idiom "椗花" is composed of two characters. "椗" refers to the act of plucking or picking, while "花" means flowers. Together, it describes the action of plucking flowers. However, it is used metaphorically to indicate someone's excessive pursuit of beauty or enjoyment at the expense of more important matters.

Usage Scenarios: This idiom is often used to criticize those who prioritize trivial matters over more significant ones. It can be used to describe individuals who focus on superficial aspects of life while neglecting their responsibilities or more essential tasks.

Story Origin: The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty. It is said that there was a man named Lu Yu who was known for his love of flowers. He would spend his days plucking flowers and arranging them, neglecting his duties and responsibilities. As a result, his reputation suffered, and he became a symbol of someone who prioritizes superficial pleasures over more important matters.

Structure of the Idiom: Subject + 椗花

Example Sentences:

1. 他整天只顧著椗花，完全不關心工作。 (He spends all day plucking flowers and doesn't care about his work at all.)

2. 別總是椗花，你有更重要的事情要做。 (Stop focusing on trivial matters; you have more important things to do.)

Memory Techniques: To remember the meaning of this idiom, you can imagine someone plucking flowers while neglecting their responsibilities. You can also associate the sound of the word "椗花" with the image of someone picking flowers.

Extended Learning: To deepen your understanding of this idiom, you can explore related idioms or expressions that convey similar meanings, such as "玩世不恭" (wán shì bù gōng), which means to have a frivolous or nonchalant attitude towards life.

Example Sentences from Different Age Groups:

1. Children (age 8-12): 我的弟弟整天只顧著椗花，連作業都不做了！(My little brother spends all day plucking flowers and doesn't even do his homework anymore!)

2. Teenagers (age 13-18): 別太過于椗花，你還有很多學習和考試要完成。(Don't focus too much on trivial matters; you still have a lot of studying and exams to complete.)

3. Adults (age 25+): 在工作中，我們不能只顧著椗花，要將重心放在更重要的事情上。(In our work, we can't just focus on trivial matters; we need to prioritize more important things.)